alumnus and former secretary general of the Union for
the Mediterranean , said he
thought “Arab Political Awakening” would be a more apt
term for the recent political unrest in the region. He
focused on the struggle in the
Arab world to create responsive governments.
“There is ... a chronic failure
by the Arab autocratic regimes
to create democratic regimes
in their countries,” Masa’deh
said. “This reason led people
to flock to the streets to go
for economic prosperity and
to receive their political free-

Cavalier Daily Associate Editor

Jenna Truong | Cavalier Daily

University Politics Prof. William Quandt (center) said during a panel Tuesday that United States military intervervention in the Middle East has been ineffective because of a consistent pattern of “intervention fatigue.”

The Center for International
Studies hosted a panel Tuesday evening called, “Whatever Happened to the Arab
Spring?” , featuring six officials , including Politics Prof.
William Quandt.
“There was the feeling that
this was a momentous occasion
for change in the Middle East,”
Prof. Quandt said. “Today, as I
scan the headlines of newspapers, it seems that that view
has changed ... ‘whatever happened in the Arab Spring’ is a
fair question.”
Ahmad Masa’deh, University

Honor Committee Chair Stephen Nash, a fourth-year College
student, and fourth-year Medical
student Taylor Richardson spoke
at Tuesday’s Student Council
meeting about the proposed
Honor Committee reforms.
Students will vote on the twofold proposal February 25-28.
The first reform removes the
option for trials to be heard by
a randomly selected jury of students, and replaces it with a jury
of elected Honor representatives.
The second proposal, informed
retraction, allows students

accused of honor offenses to
admit their wrongdoing instead
of going to trial. Students would
then be required to leave the
University for one year before
returning, at which time the
violation would be removed
from their record. Students will
vote on the proposals as a package, rather than as individual
reforms.
“[Honor’s] internal problems
are leading to great external
problems,” Nash said, calling for
decisive reform of what he said is
a broken system.
Richardson said the committee’s bylaws were not the problem, and said the system should
support random student juries.

“Because we have single sanction, you should be able to trust
all [students] to be honorable
and we should be able to trust
everyone here to render accurate
and fair decisions [as jury members,]” Richardson said.
Nash, however, said the jury
reform would create a fairer trial
for all students brought up on
honor offenses by creating more
consistent verdicts.
“What we have is an inexperienced jury interpreting facts
[and] bylaws,” Nash said. “The
more dishonest you are able to
be, the more likely you are to be
reintegrated into community of
trust.”
Richardson also spoke out

leaving.
”[The reform] is not perfect, but
we think it’s substantially better
and will protect the honest student,” Nash said.
Nash and Richardson were
invited to the meeting to help
inform and educate the Council
members as representatives of
the student body, said Council
chair of the representative body
Alex Reber, a fourth-year Engineering student.
“Even I’m still undecided,”
Reber said. “I think the questions that were asked [at Council]
show how much is unknown, but
this gives us the opportunity to
educate people to the full extent
of the changes.”

against allowing students to
return to the University after
admitting an honor violation.
“Next year I will be a physician
and I can’t expect there to be an
informed retraction,” he said.
“The real world will demand
more of us.”
The proposal also privileges students with the financial means to
take time off, Richardson said,
disadvantaging international
students or those on financial
aid. “Our current system treats
everyone exactly the same,” he
said.
Nash said the new system
would permit students to finish
out the semester so they could
sort out financial affairs before

Harris, Virginia
torch Tech, 73-55

Junior guard Joe
Harris shot 7-of-12
from the ﬁeld and
scored a careerhigh 26 points to
lead the Cavaliers’
third straight
70-plus point
performance.

Junior scores career-high 26 points to lead team to
14th straight home victory, sweep of in-state rival
By Ian Rappaport

Cavalier Daily Senior Associate Editor
The Virginia men’s basketball
team has been unstoppable at
John Paul Jones Arena of late,
and Tuesday was no different
as the Cavaliers completed a
season sweep of rival Virginia
Tech, 73-55. Offensively, junior
guard Joe Harris kept the Cavaliers’ roll going by pouring in
a career-high 26 points . At
the other end, they shut down
senior Hokie guard Erick Green
in the first half and built an

insurmountable lead before the
ACC’s leading scorer could find
his shooting touch.
With the win Virginia (18-6,
8-3 ACC) extended its home winning streak to 14 games, topped
rival Virginia Tech (11-13, 2-9
ACC) for the third straight time
and secured its best record in
conference play through 11
ACC games since the 2006-07
season.
Harris put on a shooting clinic
Please see Basketball, Page A4

Believe your eyes
Coach Tony Bennett and the Virginia basketball team are trying
to pull the wool over your eyes.
Believe what you see, not what
you hear.
The Cavaliers have won seven of
eight games, 14 straight at home
and have notched nationally televised victories against Wisconsin,
North Carolina, NC State and now,
Virginia Tech . Their second-inthe-nation scoring defense made
the Hokies’ their ninth ACC opponent in 11 games to score fewer
than 60 points. They netted more
than 70 points of their own for
the third straight game. And they
matched No. 2 Duke with their
eighth ACC win.
Yet, the Cavaliers’ success seems
to be viewed by the nation as one
big mistake, a statistical fluke
that will be corrected in due time.
The most recent AP rankings
listed Duke second in the nation
with 1,515 points and Miami

Jenna Truong
Cavalier Daily

Please recycle this
newspaper

third with 1,499 points. Virginia
remains unranked after creeping
up to four points. The most puzzling part: Cavalier players and
coaches appear to agree with the
voters’ perception.
“We’re confident but we know
who we are,” said senior point
guard Jontel Evans after matching a career high with seven
rebounds to go along with eight
points and six assists . “Coach
always stresses humility. You
can’t think too highly of yourself,
and you can’t think too lowly ...
We’re a team that has small room
for error.”
The team’s margin for error has
been anything but small during
the last three games. Virginia has
outscored its opponents by 66
points during that stretch, winning each game by double digits.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Fantasizing is part
of your job as a human and a crucial factor
in the way your week will go. Have a few
fantasies before breakfast and a few more
with your lunch. This readies you for what
occurs tonight.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There’s no
reason to stay in a stuffy environment. Get out
and walk. You stamp out your problem with
each forward step. Tonight, to keep peace in
the family, you tolerate your family member’s
odd choices.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A work problem
is the result of being uninspired by the project
on your plate. See if you can’t switch with
someone. When a task fuels your soul, you’ll
push through any resistance you encounter.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Keep it
close to the vest. Let your plan build energy
by containing it. By the end of the week, you’ll
get the perfect opportunity to show your cards
— and take the whole pot!

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Streamline your
efforts. Keep one important end in mind.
Progress is swift. By this evening, something
substantial has already shifted. A Libra person
is on your side.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Family has
so many wonderful opinions — none of which
you agree with now. It’s all about doing your
own thing. In the end, you’ll be happy that
you marched to your own drum, and they’ll be
happy for you.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). A seductive
person has something to teach you. You
see, you too are inﬂuential, even tantalizing,
when you want to be. Shed your fear of being
heard, and use your power to delight the
world.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll learn
from reading and listening to charismatic
speakers. Of course, it’s what you actually
apply to your life that makes a difference.
Initiate a good habit tonight— the gesture has
staying power.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Sensible choices
are overrated. You make outrageous,
unreasonable decisions and are somehow
able to stand by them without laughing
out loud. You’ll enjoy this, and also be
commended for your guts.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There are a
lot of things you could be now, including
sparkling, witty and right. However, the one
thing that friends and family need you to be is
simply nice. With compassion, you win hearts.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’re unable to
forcibly change your own behavior, but you
can gently change it. Seek understanding. A
lasting and wonderful change for the better
will come about.

GREEK LIFE BY MATT HENSEL

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 12). You’re on top
of the world. Your buoyant attitude attracts
people who can help you increase your
earnings and usher you into intriguing social
circles. Family connections and inherited
talents are your keys to success through
the spring. August ﬁnds you very much in
love. You share a cosmic connection with
Sagittarius and Libra people. Your lucky
numbers are: 43, 14, 5, 3 and 28.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’re a leader
of thoughts. Start by taking control of your
own. What you think of yourself counts. What
others think of you is just a projection of you.

RENAISSANCING BY TIM PRICE

NO SUBJECT BY JANE MATTIMOE

A BUNCH OF BANANAS BY JACK WINTHROP & GARRETT MAJDIC

Fill in the
grid so that
every row,
every column,
and every 3x3
box contains
the digits 1
through 9.

BEAR NECESSITIES BY MAX MEESE & ALEX SCOTT

The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation
620 Eighth
Avenue,
New York,
N.Y. 10018
Solution,
tips
and computer
program
at www.sudoku.com
For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550
For Release Wednesday, February 13, 2013

MOSTLY HARMLESS BY PETER SIMONSEN

Crossword
ACROSS

33

1 Repair

bill
segment
6 They may be
checked at the
door
9 Have being
14 Essential ___
acid
15 Siesta
16 Big name in
rental trucks
17 Plant used as
ground cover
18 Did or didn’t
agree to end
the illustrators’
strike?
20 Did or didn’t
dilute the prom
bowlful?
22 Whirling water
23 Rumple, as hair
24 Suffix with
Marx
26 Like the base-8
number system
29 Dean’s domain:
Abbr.
30 Apr. workhorse

37
38
39
40

45
46
47
48

49

51
54

60

Did or didn’t
perform a
New Year’s
ceremony?
Butt out?
Org. based in
Langley, Va.
Fox talent
show, for short
Did or didn’t
surpass a
D.J.’s mark for
accident-free
days?
Set, as a price
Pal
Earns the
booby prize
Part of a terza
rima rhyme
scheme
Corner
Monopoly
square
Gem for some
Libras
Did or didn’t
play a good
round of golf?
Did or didn’t
participate in
the Boy Scouts
outing?

For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit
card, 1-800-814-5554.
Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday
crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS.
AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit
nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information.
Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past
puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year).
Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay.
Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

A3

NEWS

Wednesday, February 13, 2013 | The Cavalier Daily

Three-Day Weather Forecast
TODAY
High of 45˚

TONIGHT
Low of 30˚

Cloudy skies, with an 80
percent chance of rain.
Temperatures rising to the
mid 40s.

Overcast skies with a chance
of rain in the early morning
hours. Temperatures falling
into the lower 30s.

Provided by the
Cavalier Weather Service

Valentine’s Day
High of 52˚
Sunny skies, with
temperatures warming to the
lower 50s. Looks like beautiful
weather for Valentine’s Day!

Low pressure will pass by to our south today, returning clouds and a chance of rain to our area. High pressure will build back in tomorrow
for a crisp and clear Valentine’s Day! Highs remain in the upper 40s to low 50s, while lows remain in the low 30s.

FRIDAY
High of 52˚
Overcast skies, with the
temperatures increasing to the
lower 50s.
To receive Cavalier Weather Service
forecasts via email, contact
weather@virginia.edu

The Virginia Senate passed House
Bill 1617 Monday, allowing student
organizations at Virginia colleges
to restrict membership to students
perceived as “committed to [the
organization’s] mission”. The legislation also bars schools from discriminating against groups which
enact such policies.
The bill passed 21-18 along
largely partisan lines.
Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, who voted against the bill,

said the measure represents a
move toward accepting forms of
discrimination against minority
groups by allowing organizations
to exclude certain individuals.
“Here’s the problem: in a democratic republic, a lot of the rules
exist to protect the minority,”
Deeds said. “And this bill basically
says ‘it’s alright to discriminate
against the minority, however that
may be.’”
Even though he opposes the
legislation, Deeds said he does not
foresee any immediate increase in
college discrimination.

“Just because the General Assembly says that it is okay to discriminate, it doesn’t make it okay,” he
said. “You still have to trust people
to use basic human judgment.”
The Republican effort, led by Del.
Todd Gilbert, R-Shanendoah, was
introduced at the beginning of the
legislative session and passed the
House at the end of January.
Center for Politics spokesperson
Geoffrey Skelley said the bill may
have been part of a Republican
effort to fuel party supporters.
“[It] strengthen[s] student groups
that may be ideologically aligned

in certain ways with the GOP, economically, religiously or socially,”
Skelley said.
A court case in California likely
prompted legislators to draft the
bill when a court ruled that a
public law school in the state
could force a student religious
organization on campus to accept
all students, said Douglas Laycock,
University Law and Religious Studies professor.
“This bill protects First Amendment rights to freedom of speech,
freedom of assembly, free exercise
of religion and freedom of asso-

ciation,” Laycock said in an email.
“You can’t organize or maintain a
group committed to a cause unless
you can limit membership to those
who share that commitment. The
Supreme Court has repeatedly
held that government cannot force
political or ideological organizations to accept unwanted members.”
Laycock said the bill would
ensure that a case similar to the
one in California would not happen
in Virginia.
Republican legislators could not
be reached for comment.

Panel | Political awareness spurred uprisings, Brown says
Continued from page A1
doms.”
Nathan Brown , professor
of politics and international
affairs at George Washington
University and founder of the
Project of Middle East Democracy, said Egypt, an important
force in the subsequent revolutions in the region, was an
example of how the rebirth of

political awareness can instigate change.
“In the 1990s and 2000s, in a
way that wasn’t visible outside
the country, you saw Egyptians
from all crosses of life begin
to talk about politics,” Brown
said. “What the critique boiled
down to was the following:
There are lots of things wrong
with our society ... and the only
way we can get them fixed is

to get the politics right. What
changed in January-February
2011 is people stopped talking
and started acting.”
Panelists also questioned the
role of Western powers in the
current and future political
development of the region.
“What these societies are
going through is an incredibly
inward looking movement,”
Brown said. “In a sense, what-

ever our views of Islamic leadership is, the United States has
adjusted very well by being
modest in what it wants to
accomplish.”
Quandt said that the United
States has “intervention
fatigue”, and that military
intervention in the Middle East
has proven itself ineffective.
Masa’deh, however, said it
was important for the United

States to continue a strong
presence in Arab nations.
“After the invasion of Iraq,
George Bush did propose an
idea for the Arab World, but
it was not the right time,”
Masa’deh said. “Now the
people are coming to the world
with a clean state and asking
for freedom. I think now is the
time for the United States to
act in these areas.”

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M Basketball | Defense shuts down Green for first half
Continued from page A1
early, going 5-of-5 from beyond
the arc en route to scoring 17
first-half points. The Cavaliers’
first 9 points of the evening all
came courtesy of Harris’ longrange marksmanship.
“We hoped to slow him down
a bit, but he came out of the
gates blazing,” Virginia Tech
coach James Johnson said of
Harris. “Before we could make
the switch and get someone else
on him, he already had nine
points on three 3-pointers right
in our mouth.”
Harris not only put up big
numbers, but did so with an
efficient 7-for-12 shooting performance.
“I thought it was impressive,”
Virginia coach Tony Bennett
said. “It makes me look like
a good coach when he comes
out and plays like that. He had
great rhythm. He was hunting
the shot, moving hard off the
screens. I thought he got us off
to the right start.”
Meanwhile, Green — who

torched the Cavaliers for 35
points the last time the teams
met Jan. 24 — struggled mightily in the first half. While his
nifty ball-handling was in rare
form as he drove into the paint
on a few occasions, his shooting touch failed him. He scored
only one point in the first half
and missed all seven of his
field goal attempts as senior
guard Jontel Evans pestered
him repeatedly.
“I told my teammates that I was
going to waste all my energy on
defense tonight,” Evans said. “I
wanted to show people that I’m
still a good defender and what
better chance is there than to
go against one of the best players in the country? I think that I
showed it tonight.”
The game’s opening 13 minutes were close, but then the
Cavaliers caught fire offensively, tightened up at their own
end of the floor and went on
a 12-0 run to break open what
had been a 21-20 ballgame.
Harris fueled the run with a
pair of 3-pointers and junior

forward Akil Mitchell capped it
with a transition layup.
A short while later, freshman
forward Evan Nolte would put
a fitting cap on the opening 20
minutes of play by knocking
down the team’s seventh of nine
total 3-pointers to send Virginia
into the break leading 36-23.
In the second half, Green
finally found his stroke and
managed to finish the night
with 22 points, but the performance was too little, too late.
Eleven of Green’s points came
during a span of four Hokie
possessions in which he scored
his first buckets of the night
and drained three treys. The
Cavaliers, however, answered
with baskets of their own after
the first two Green 3-pointers
and never allowed Virginia
Tech to meaningfully chip into
the deficit.
Instead, the Cavaliers built
their advantage to as many as
22 with 5:12 remaining and
never looked back. A thunderous dunk by Mitchell — who
finished with 17 points and

eight boards — with 5:51 to play
was perhaps the final dagger
emotionally for the Hokies.
The usually defense-oriented
Cavaliers are now averaging 77
points in their last three games
after switching to a guard-heavy
lineup when they lost freshman
forward Mike Tobey to mononucleosis last week. With hot
hands abound, the Cavaliers
did not hesitate to pass to teammates for open looks.
“Tonight, we were really comfortable in the offense,” sophomore guard Paul Jesperson
said. “We rely on our defense,
but I think offensively, guys
have been sharing the ball
more, and I think that has a lot
to do with our attitude.”
One moment late in the first
half in which Virginia strung
together a sequence of slick
passes freed Harris for an open
jumper in the lane, and though
he fired a rare miss, it epitomized their willingness to
share the rock. Evans played an
instrumental role in facilitating
the ball movement, finishing

with six assists and just one
turnover, in addition to scoring
eight points and grabbing seven
rebounds. His sure handling
helped the Cavaliers limit Virginia Tech to six takeaways. The
Hokies scored only four points
off turnovers and went without
any fast break points.
“When you have that high
assists and low turnovers, that’s
really important for us,” Bennett said. “I think our guys are
learning to value the ball and ...
take pride in that.”
By game’s end Bennett continued what has been a familiar
routine for Virginia: Bringing
in the backups to close the deal.
Harris left to a standing ovation
for his career night, and senior
guard Doug Browman did the
honors of dribbling out the
clock on the Cavaliers’ seventh
win in the last eight games.
Virginia will now travel to
Chapel Hill for a rematch against
North Carolina Saturday. The
Cavaliers won 61-52 against the
Tar Heels in the teams’ Jan. 6
matchup in Charlottesville.

Weltz | Pundits must start giving surging team its due
Continued from page A1
They are 6-0 against teams inside
the RPI 100. Wins keep piling
up, but perceptions move glacially. Losses to CAA opponents
George Mason, Delaware and
Old Dominion weigh down the
Cavaliers’ NCAA Tournament
resume, as do conference road
losses to mediocre Wake Forest,
Clemson and Georgia Tech.
“We knew after the Georgia
Tech game that we would have to
put a run together if we wanted
to have a chance of [making the
Tournament,]” Mitchell said.
“Since then, we haven’t really
talked about it.”
Experts seem unwilling to
believe or make sense of what
has transpired during the past
several weeks, and the Cavaliers
appear to have no interest in
self-reflection. Pundits seem
to have written the story of
Virginia’s season before all the
games had been played, assuming the graduation of Mike Scott

and the reliance on multiple
freshmen would be too much to
overcome.
What few foresaw is the
night-and-day improvements
of junior guard Joe Harris and
junior forward Akil Mitchell,
along with the revival of Evans
after dealing with a foot injury
early this season. Those three
have been the driving force
behind a unit that has produced
enough offense in recent weeks
to be competitive with any team
when coupled with its vaunted
pack-line defense.
Harris lit up John Paul Jones
Arena by opening the game with
three consecutive 3-pointers
against the rival Hokies Tuesday, finishing with a career-high
26 points for his fourth 20-point
performance in five games.
Mitchell continued to play like
one of the most dominant post
players in the ACC, scoring
17 points and grabbing eight
rebounds. Evans attempted just
seven shots, but was once again

the guiding force for a revitalized Cavalier offense.
“It was impressive,” Bennett
said of Harris. “It makes me
look like a good coach when he
comes out and plays like that.”
The three combined for 28 of
the team’s 36 first-half points,
including the first 15 of the
game and later, a 12-0 streak
that gave Virginia a lead it
would not relinquish. With
Virginia leading 21-20, Evans
drove through the heart of the
paint and finished with a strong
lay-up. Mitchell added a clean
jumper from the free throw line
and Harris followed with his
fourth and fifth 3-pointers of the
period. By the time Evans found
Mitchell for a fast-break lay-up,
the lead had swelled to 33-20.
Virginia finished with 14 assists
on 22 field goals.
“I feel like we got that chemistry,” Evans said of the trio.
“Everybody knows Joe’s the first
option, Akil is second and if it’s
time for me to score, then my

C M Y K

teammates have confidence in
me to make that play or get them
the ball so they can score.”
Bennett’s team is on pace to
match or exceed its predicted
finish in the ACC Preseason
Coaches Poll for the fourth
straight year — something the
brightest basketball minds in
the country have evidently
overlooked. Apparently, there is
some feature of this and many
Cavalier teams before it that is
under-appreciated.
Maybe it’s that offensive flair
is more memorable than defensive battles. Maybe the Cavaliers
do not have as many household
names on their roster as other
teams. But the defining feature of Bennett’s tenure at the
University is that the results
have always exceeded the predictions. The whole has been
greater than the sum of its
parts.
“We are doing a really nice job
of giving up good shots for great
shots,” Harris said. “We’re a

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

very unselfish team and you can
see that in our play.”
What has transpired in the
past several weeks is not an illusion or slight of hand. The Cavaliers are a talented team, capable of competing with the best
in the country. Like every other
opponent it will face, Virginia
has its shortcomings. Outside of
Harris, the team has its share of
inconsistent shooters. It lacks
post depth and over-relies on
unproven freshmen. Just don’t
buy into the company line that
this is not a dangerous team.
“Everyone is trying to keep a
level head and stay humble,”
sophomore guard Paul Jesperson said. “I think we need to go
out there and play every game
like we’re 0-0.”
Approaching every game like
it’s a new season is a fine mentality for players to have. But
there is no reason why fans and
analysts should not look at the
standings and trust what they
see.

A5

SPORTS

Wednesday, February 13, 2013 | The Cavalier Daily

No. 9 Cavaliers seek to beat expectations
National polls place team behind other three ACC teams; players believe new shot clock, faster-paced style will give Cavs advantage
Senior captain Chris
Lapierre has led the
team in groundballs
the past two seasons
and will take on a
larger offensive role
this season following
the losses of Steele
Stanwick and Chris
Bocklet.

Jenna Truong
Cavalier Daily

By Zack Bartee

Cavalier Daily Senior Associate Editor
Lacrosse season is officially
underway, and the Cavaliers
have found themselves in unfamiliar territory. With new faces,
new jerseys and new rules, it
may take some lacrosse fans
time to adjust to Virginia’s new
look.
The Virginia men’s lacrosse
team comes into the season
ranked No. 9 in three of the four
major polls and last in the ACC
in all four — a stark contrast
to a squad which entered the
2012 season as the defending national champions and
with the No. 1 overall ranking.
But the Cavaliers aren’t paying
mind to the rankings or lowering their expectations, senior
defenseman Harry Prevas said.
“Even the year we won
the national championship
... midway through the year
nobody [thought] we [could]
do anything, we shouldn’t even
make the tournament,” Prevas
said. “So it really doesn’t change
that much for us and what we’re
trying to accomplish.”
The 2012 campaign was less
than fruitful, as the Cavaliers
lost 12-10 in a heartbreaking
quarterfinals matchup in the

NCAA Tournament against
Notre Dame. Despite heading
into the final quarter tied 6-6,
the Fighting Irish went on a 6-2
run that effectively eliminated
Virginia and ensured that for
the first time since 2007 the
Cavaliers would fail to advance
to the semifinal round.
Now, Virginia is faced with
filling the gigantic shoes left
behind by five graduating
USILA All-Americans. Seniors
accounted for about 55 percent
of the team’s total points in
2012. Among those who graduated were captain and first
team All-American attackman
Steele Stanwick — who ranks
first all-time in program history in points, fourth in assists
and seventh in goals — and
All-American attackman Chris
Bocklet, No. 5 all-time in goals
scored at Virginia. Stanwick
and Bocklet combined for 124
of the Cavaliers’ 306 points last
season, leaving gaping holes at
attack.
“We’re a program that graduates good players every year,”
Virginia coach Dom Starsia said.
“You don’t graduate Steele Stanwick every year, or Chris Bocklet and Colin Briggs together,
but we’ve got the players that
can step in ... It just may take us

a little while before we resemble a Virginia lacrosse team at
the offensive end in particular.”
The Cavaliers return sophomore attackman Owen Van
Arsdale, however, who started
all 14 regular season games in
2012, as well as versatile senior
Matt White, the No. 28 pick in
the 2013 Major League Lacrosse
Draft who started every regular
season game at midfield before
getting the call to start both 2012
postseason games at attack.
Despite graduating All-American Briggs, third on the team
in points with 36 last season,
Starsia expects the midfield to
be one of the team’s strengths
with the return of USILA AllAmericans junior Rob Emery
and senior captain Chris LaPierre, as well as key contributors
in sophomore Ryan Tucker and
junior Mark Cockerton.
“We expect some of the returning guys to grow up a little bit,”
Starsia said. “Rob Emery, certainly, Ryan Tucker is going to
carry a lot of it, Matt White has
been bumping in between the
attack and the midfield, so we
feel like we’ve got some experience there.”
LaPierre, recently selected No.
2 overall in the 2013 MLL Draft
and named the first solo captain

for Virginia since 1981, will look
to be a force on both offense and
defense, as well as in transition.
He led the team in groundballs
in 2012 with 63 and is notable
for his ability to be a “one-man
clear” as Starsia calls him.
“He’s been coming back from a
little bit of a leg injury,” Starsia
said. “But he’s a special young
man, and he was anxious to be
the captain of this team. He’s
done a very good job putting
us in the position that we’re in
now.”
Faceoff specialist Ryan Benincasa graduated 10th all-time
in Virginia history in faceoff
wins with 291. Sophomore midfielder Mick Parks will take
over the primary responsibility
of handling faceoffs, although
LaPierre, Tucker and sophomore midfielder Tyler German
may see action as well.
Who Starsia will tap as the
team’s starting goaltender
remains the biggest question
for Virginia. With the departure of honorable mention AllAmerican net-minder Rob Fortunato, senior Conor McGee
and sophomore Rhody Heller
competed for the position in the
fall, with freshman Dan Marino
entering the fray in the spring
after recovering from a broken
thumb.
“In particular with Rhody
Heller and Dan Marino, they
both had a good preseason ...
They split time and both had
their moments,” Starsia said.
“It’s going to be a tight call no
matter what it is, and we’d
probably like another day or
so before we pull the trigger on
that.”
The defense did not see as
much turnover as the offense,
but still lost All-American Matt
Lovejoy and longstick midfielder and captain Chris Clements. Retaining All-American
junior Scott McWilliams and
a 16-game starter in Prevas
though will help. Sophomore
Greg Danseglio is expected to
be the third starter, and Prevas
believes defense will be one of
the team’s strengths.

“We’ve got a lot of new guys,
but I’ve got Scott and Greg down
on the defense with me and I’m
pretty familiar with those guys,”
Prevas said. “[Greg’s] ready to
play, and we’ve got [freshman
defenseman] Tanner Scales
and [sophomore longstick midfielder] Tanner Ottenbreit helping us out too ... I think we’re
pretty solid at the defensive
position right now.”
New personnel aside, rule
changes will also force the Cavaliers to take on a whole new
image this season. With the
elimination of the sideline substitution horn and the complete
overhaul of the stall warning
to include a 30-second shot
clock once the stall warning is
in effect, look for midfielders,
such as Emery and LaPierre, to
increasingly play on both ends
of the field and a faster pace of
play overall.
“I think in theory ... people
are going to be pleased with
the new rules,” Starsia said. “If
you’re willing to leave people in
the game, you can play the game
at a quicker tempo. I think we’re
one of the programs that sees
that as an advantage and sees
that as something that we want
to do. The rule changes suit us
from both a personnel standpoint ... and from a personality
standpoint in the sense that I
think it’s who we want to be.”
This season Virginia fans will
have plenty of opportunity to
see how the rule changes play
out firsthand, as the Cavaliers
will play nine of their 13 regular
season games at home.
“There’s no better place to
play lacrosse than Klöckner Stadium,” White said. “That’s just
the absolute best place to play.”
The Cavaliers will face Drexel
at home Saturday in the season
opener.
“It’s a huge game for us,”
White said. “There’s a lot of
question marks surrounding
our program this year, and we
want to go out there and give it
our best effort. I think when we
do that, a lot of questions will be
answered.”

Looking up and down Brian
O’Connor’s roster for this spring,
one thing jumps out immediately
— this Cavaliers squad is young.
But as O’Connor enters his 10th
season as coach of the Virginia
baseball team, he is hoping this
new breed of Cavaliers will continue the success he has already
built in Charlottesville.
“It’s obviously a good problem
to have, because we have guys
moving on to the next level,” redshirt senior first baseman Jared
King said. “It’s an opportunity
for those new guys to really step
in and fill spots. It’s provided
a lot of good competition, so I
think it’s benefited everyone, not
really knowing who is going to
be where.”
Only nine of the No. 25 Cavaliers’ 34 players are juniors or
seniors. The team’s youth should
not be confused with inexperience, however, as the team
features seven position players
who started at least 25 games
last season.
Leading the way is 2012 Freshman All-American Derek Fisher,
who batted .288 in 56 games last
year, mostly in left field. Fisher
displayed uncanny power for
a freshman last season, hitting
seven home runs and driving in
50 runs. He is joined by fellow
sophomores catcher Nate Irving
— who hit .279 last year with a
.415 on-base percentage in 53
games — and outfielder Mike
Papi, who hit .283 before missing the second half of last season

with a back injury.
The veteran core of King, redshirt junior outfielder Colin
Harrington and senior utility
man Reed Gragnani will anchor
the young lineup. King started
all 59 games at first base for Virginia last year and hit .263 with
4 home runs, 12 doubles and 44
RBIs.
“I’ve seen a lot of changes
since I’ve been here,” King said.
“I just turned 23, so for most of
the first-year guys, we wouldn’t
even have been in high school
together. It’s interesting, but the
quality of guys we’re getting now
is supreme.”
The team’s youth is perhaps
most evident on the pitching
staff, which faces the most
uncertainty entering the season.
The Cavaliers lost two key starting pitchers to the pros in Branden Kline and Shane Halley,
who went 7-3 and 9-2 last year,
respectively. They will also be
without junior Artie Lewicki
and sophomore Whit Mayberry,
thanks to season-ending injuries
last year which will also keep
them out of the mix for 2013.
Those losses put pressure on
junior Kyle Crockett and redshirt senior Scott Silverstein,
who have a combined 17 college
starts, and on a strong freshman class of pitchers, including
left-handers Nathan Kirby and
Brandon Waddell. A pitching
staff in flux presents a problem
for the Virginia catchers, but
Irving is confident in the team’s
preparation.
“Something that I take a lot of
pride in is being there for pitch-

ers, and trying to help them
along as fast as possible from
behind the plate,” Irving said.
“We’ve been doing some great
work in the pen and on the
mound, and we’re really excited
to get going.”
To O’Connor, the 2013 campaign marks a decade of coaching in Charlottesville, a period
that has seen the Cavaliers rise
to national prominence. A threetime ACC Coach of the Year and
two-time National Coach of the
Year, O’Connor has turned Virginia into a fixture of college
baseball. Virginia’s 195 wins
in the last four seasons are the
second most in Division I.
The Cavaliers are coming off of
a 2012 season which saw them go
39-19-1 overall and 18-12 in the
ACC. They made their ninth consecutive postseason appearance
but lost at home in the regional
round of the NCAA tournament,
dropping games to Appalachian
State and Oklahoma in the double-elimination series.
Virginia will be put to the
test in its opening weekend
matchup against East Carolina in
Greenville, N.C. The Pirates put
together a strong 2012 season,
going 36-24-1 overall and qualifying for the NCAA tournament
before being eliminated in the
Chapel Hill Regional. For the
opening game, O’Connor is turning to Waddell, in what will be
his first collegiate start.
“He’s shown me a lot,” O’Connor
said of the freshman. “He’s conditioned. He’s ready to throw 90
pitches. Provided he’s still giving
us an opportunity to win that

ballgame, he’ll be out there.”
Waddell will be followed by
Silverstein Saturday and sophomore Nick Howard Sunday, with
Crockett coming out of the bullpen in a long relief and closing
role. O’Connor has said that he
will not hesitate to turn to the
team’s newer pitchers if necessary, with freshmen Josh Sborz
and Cameron Tekker primed to
make relief appearances.
“It’s a calculated experiment,”
O’Connor said. “We like to believe
that we have a pretty good idea
of what guys are capable of
doing, but the reality is, practice
is practice. Once you cross the
white lines and wins and losses

matter, things change.”
East Carolina will certainly not
be a pushover opening matchup
for the Cavaliers, and the players relish the opportunity to put
their months of preparation on
display against a quality opponent.
“We had a great test with BC,
Coastal Carolina and JMU [in a
season-opening tournament]
last year, and I think we really
came together as a group after
that,” Irving said. “We’re just
going to have to go out and play
our game and play without fear,
and trust the process. If we do
that, the results will take care of
themselves.”

Thomas Bynum | Cavalier Daily

Redshirt senior first baseman Jared King is expected to be a key offensive
cog this year. He sports a career on-base percentages of .409.

Quote of The Week
“[Brandon] Downes hit one over the right field bleacher the other day, so Downes can get it out there. [Derek
Fisher] will get it this year. If we keep with a good approach, balls will start banging off that thing pretty
quickly.”
-Sophomore catcher Nate Irving on who will be the first person to hit the brand-new video board

C M Y K

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

A6

Opinion
Wednesday, February 13, 2013

The Cavalier Daily
“For here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it
may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason
is left free to combat it.”
—Thomas Jefferson

Shooting blanks
In light of recent tragedies the University must stand by its weapons policy to
keep guns off Grounds
A University of Maryland graduate student early
Tuesday morning shot two housemates, killing one and
injuring the other, before turning the gun on himself.
The incident happened about a block from the University of Maryland at College Park’s campus.
The Maryland shooting comes with the Newtown,
Conn. tragedy fresh in our memories. Tuesday’s incident lacks the scope and terror of what happened at
Newtown. It has the air of a private quarrel rather than
a systematic execution. But the trend of gun violence on
or near educational institutions is disquieting.
People sometimes describe college as a bubble. The
term need not be altogether disparaging. Colleges
— like all schools — should cut themselves off from
elements antithetical to learning. Fear is one such element. At some schools, unease dampens the air. Students at numerous primary and secondary schools pass
through metal detectors each morning while armed
security guards stand in the hallways. And last month,
at the University’s College at Wise, the 2,000-student
campus shut down after a false report of a gunman on
the school’s grounds.
Tuesday’s College Park tragedy should grab the attention of University officials and Virginia lawmakers.
The University of Maryland is one of our peer institutions. It is different in many ways: For one, Maryland
has nearly twice as many students as we do, which
increases the likelihood of having one or more students
who might engage in violence. But what guarantee do
we have that what happened in College Park won’t
happen in Charlottesville?
In early February, Wallace Loh, the president of the
University of Maryland at College Park, was one of 350
college presidents to sign an open letter to U.S. policy

leaders urging them to oppose legislation allowing guns
on school campuses. He was one of the few presidents
of public institutions to sign the document. University
President Teresa Sullivan did not join him in doing so.
We cannot fault Sullivan too much for not going out
on a limb to support gun-control measures. Presidents
of public universities are under different and more
varied pressures than leaders of private institutions.
Republicans, many wary of gun control, currently
dominate Virginia’s leadership. And Sullivan might not
have made any traction in improving the University’s
safety by signing. Indeed, she might have hurt the
school by making herself vulnerable to attacks by gunrights advocates or donors who would threaten to withhold gifts. Sullivan is under no commitment to make
public political stances — and the gun-control debate,
currently inflamed, is not politically neutral territory.
The University prohibits the possession, storage and
use of firearms on University property, with the exception of those required by police officers and official
ROTC activities. Sullivan and other University stakeholders should stand by current rules barring guns
from Grounds. The University’s gun policy drew fire
a few years ago when Virginia Attorney General Ken
Cuccinelli — now a Republican candidate for governor — argued in an advisory opinion that the school’s
rules were too strict. Cuccinelli contended that the
University, as a state agency, could not ban weapons
from Grounds. In light of Tuesday’s shooting and
other high-profile gun-related tragedies, however,
the University should continue to take pains to maximize the safety and security of its students, patients,
faculty and staff by standing by its commitment to a
gun-free Grounds.

Featured online reader comment
“In other words, bureaucrat-in-chief Theresa Sullivan
doesn’t want to advocate a position and own it as a
leader, and instead will shuﬄe the decision to underlings
so she can’t be blamed when it goes wrong. Then she will
write a press release to conveniently put in the Cavalier
Daily newspaper that makes her look like she is doing
something.
Rather than focus on what really matters - education
quality, career success of graduates, endowment size, and
research quality - University resources will be directed
towards buzzwords like “big data” and “inclusion and
continuity” and “agile aggressiveness”, so that Sullivan
and overpaid consultants can keep their high-paying jobs,
and minority students can be told they are inherently
inferior and need special help.
As a sociology graduate, she has no idea how these
technologies work, but she knows they will sound
good on her report card. It’s too bad that UVA selects
for networking and political skill rather than honesty,
leadership, and intelligence. This university is now a
joke.”

Identity loss
New Virginia voter identiﬁcation laws will hurt potential voters and the democratic process
The Virginia legislature recently fraud statistically quite insignifi- is no justification to limit eligible
passed laws that would reduce the cant. Fears of voter fraud hold little voters from exercising their civil
incidence of voter fraud by limiting water — so what need is there for rights. All eligible voters should be
the types of voter ID polling places the ID restrictions?
allowed to cast ballots with miniI find it a bit ironic that in Vir- mal restrictions. Otherwise, our
deem acceptable. With the new
ginia a utility bill and voting process will lose integrity
laws, voters can
FARIHA KABIR
government-issued and legitimacy.
still show a voter
Social Security ID can
ID card, conIt is possible that Virginia’s recent
OPINION COLUMNIST
be used to obtain a voter ID laws may not be upheld
cealed handgun
permit, driver’s license or student driver’s license — a
in court.
ID but can no longer use a utility valid form of voter ID “The legislation is basically L a s t
bill, pay stub, government check under this new law
August a
party politics that hurts
or Social Security card as proof of — but cannot be used
federal
minorities who may not
voting eligibility. These laws at first to vote. And why
c o u r t
glance seem like measures that does a gun permit
have the necessary form of s t r u c k
enhance the integrity of the voting carry more validity at
d o w n
ID to vote.”
process by preventing voter fraud. the polls than a Social
a Texas
But a closer analysis reveals these Security card? If Virlaw that
laws could disenfranchise eligible ginia gun permits had photos — required photo IDs for voting. The
they don’t — I could see why they law could have disenfranchised
voters.
One of the primary reasons I find would be allowed instead of Social 600,000 minorities. The Voting
these new laws rather ridiculous Security cards, but as it stands the Rights Act of 1965 ensures that any
is that voter fraud is not a prob- regulation makes little sense.
law associated with voting proceThe legislation deters minority dures must be pre-cleared by the
lem either in the United States or
Virginia. As Virginia Del. Jennifer voters by limiting the possible Department of Justice. Virginia’s
McClellan, D-Richmond, said in an forms of identification primarily legislation may not pass muster
interview last week with the Rich- to government-issued documen- if it is evident that the law will
mond Times-Dispatch: “We do not tation. As many as 11 percent of disenfranchise a large number of
have any evidence of a lot of people eligible American voters — mostly minority voters.
showing up at the polls, pretending seniors, racial minorities, low-inThough I find the new voter ID
come voters and students — do not laws a bit excessive, I hope meato be someone else.”.
Tova Wang, author of “The Poli- have government-issued IDs.
sures will be taken to prevent the
The legislation is basically party laws from taking effect in 2014.
tics of Voter Suppression: Defending and Expanding Americans’ politics that hurts minorities who Regardless of the motives used to
Right to Vote,” asserts the same may not have the necessary form justify these laws, the results are
thing, and a look at actual cases of of ID to vote. For example, a person clear — rather than protect voters,
voter fraud yields a similar conclu- who has in the past relied on a util- it undermines the basic right to
sion. News21, a branch of the Carn- ity bill to vote may face difficulties vote and the integrity associated
egie-Knight Initiative on the Future under this new law. Many voters with voting in general. Such meaof Journalism Education, reported without a government-issued ID, sures complicate the voting prothat there have been, since 2000, insofar as this group overlaps cess without additional benefits.
a total of 2,068 voter fraud cases with racial minority groups, tend
nationwide, with 32 cases occur- to vote Democrat: 71 percent of
Fariha Kabir’s column appears
ring in Virginia. The turnout in Hispanics and 93 percent of AfriWednesdays in The Cavalier Daily.
Virginia for the 2012 national elec- can Americans voted for Barack
She can be reached at f.kabir@
tion was a little less than 4 million, Obama in the 2012 election, for
cavalierdaily.com.
making documented cases of voter example. Party politics aside, there

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and guest columns. Writers must provide full name,
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appropriate. Letters should not exceed 250 words
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will not be considered.
Submit to editor@cavalierdaily.com, http://www.
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QUESTIONS &
COMMENTS
To better serve readers, The Cavalier Daily has an
ombudsman to respond to questions and concerns
regarding its practices. The ombudsman writes a
column, published every week on the Opinion pages,
based on reader feedback and his independent
observations. He also welcomes queries pertaining to
journalism and the newspaper industry in general.
The ombudsman is available at
ombud@cavalierdaily.com.

Starving liberal artists
Even in an uncertain economy, liberal arts degrees can provide marketable skills
The joke is an old one: When will seek non-academic jobs after
talking to an English major, you graduation, the link between a
usually end the conversation liberal arts education and workwith “Yes, I do want fries with force training is more tenuous.
that.” Studying Proust or Joyce But there does not have to be
a strict dichotomy
is not exactly
ROLPH RECTO
between the liberal
economically
arts and career
sound. EspeOPINION COLUMNIST
preparation. Many
cially in the face
of a volatile economy, many programs within colleges and
people see such study as privi- universities combine the two
leged fancy. Today people want successfully. For example, stustudents to buckle down: Society dents at the College of William
cannot afford to have its next & Mary — a public university
generation lollygagging around with a reputation of a liberal arts
and seeking impractical intel- college — have the opportunity
lectual pursuits in the comfort to earn simultaneous degrees
of the ivory tower. The consen- in the liberal arts and engineersus seems to be that if you are ing through a partnership with
going to college, you better be Columbia University.
But the root of the problem is
majoring in some kind of STEM
field, since such fields prove to this: Those who have disdain for
be practical, which is to say they the liberal arts are too narrow
in their conception of what is
are economically valuable.
Meanwhile, criticism against practical. A liberal arts degree
the liberal arts is becoming is supposed to prepare one for
more pronounced. Take the the workforce irrespective of
stance Florida Gov. Rick Scott what career one chooses. A sucexpressed in a October 2011 cessful person today needs more
with the Herald-Tribune, for than technical expertise; ours is
example: “If I’m going to take a complex world, and we need
money from a citizen to put into leaders with great analytical
education ... I want that money skills, critical thinking and masto go to degrees where people tery of abstract concepts to navican get jobs in this state. Is it a gate it. This flexibility, so opposed
vital interest of the state to have to the partisan mindset of Scott
more anthropologists? I don’t and the like, is immensely useful
in a job market flushed with
think so.”
In a minor point, Scott is white-collar work opportunities.
wrong. For those select students Sure, computer programming is
seeking a career in academia an invaluable technical skill, but
and research — the future pro- when the boss needs a memo or
fessors and scientists — a liberal a report, he will
arts education is job training, inevitably pick
$57,600
and college is exactly where they
need to be. For the students who
$57,300

the English major to do it. Also, increasingly pluralistic modern
is it not ironic that the governor world. President Barack Obama
decries the liberal arts when cites attending Occidental Colthe best training for his current lege, a liberal arts college in
job can be obtained with a “use- California, as a catalyst for his
less” politics degree? (That Scott political career: “Because of the
example
earned his bachelor’s degree in “But the root of the problem o f w o n business adminis this: those who have dis- d e r f u l
istration is telldain for the liberal arts are te resa ca nh ding.)
We m u s t n o t too narrow in their concep- l a s t i n g
friends,
forget the argution of what is practical.”
I began
ment that the libto notice
eral arts are an
a world
inherent social
beyond
good: They foster
critical thinking, which is cen- myself,” he said in a 2008 speech
tral to a democratic society at Wesleyan University It is hard
founded upon discourse. It is to imagine the president having
important to note that in George the same revelation if he looked
Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984,” at equations all day. Are we then
the totalitarian government ready to forfeit the noble ends of
maintains its power partly by the liberal arts so easily?
We should not forfeit the
controlling the words, and thus
the thoughts, of its subjects. Such liberal arts. They are worth
a government can exist in a soci- fighting for. Assaults on the
ety whose citizens are untrained l i b e ra l a r t s
in argument and rhetoric — a are hysteric
$64,400
society without training in the r e s p o n s e s
to economic
liberal arts.
The liberal arts also promote
the study of different view$64,000
points and perspectives, which
has great moral
weight in an
$62,900

downturn. If you apply yourself
at a university, no matter what
field, you will graduate with
marketable skills and better
job prospects than when you
entered. Besides, the war on
liberal education is just a distraction from the real bogeyman
hanging over higher education:
skyrocketing costs and a student
debt bubble ready to burst.
Scott’s defamed anthropology
majors, after graduating, will
surely benefit the world with
their broad range of knowledge
— whether they become anthropologists or not.
Rolph Recto’s column appears
Wednesdays in The Cavalier
Daily. He can be reached at
r.recto@cavalierdaily.com.

National Association of Colleges and Employer’s list of op-Paying Majors for New College Graduates
Courtesy Riley Panko

Evolution in thought

Charles Darwin’s birthday should have been more publicized to remind the public of evolution’s importance
Though many people were almost universally held to be
probably unaware, Tuesday fact.
In an affluent and technologimarked Charles Darwin’s birthday. Darwin, as hopefully every- cally advanced nation like the
one knows, solidified the theory U.S., one would hope the scientific commuof evolution with
nity would have
his explanation
ALEX YAHANDA
more influence.
of descent with
SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR
We are a society
modification, the
that demands
process by which
adaptive changes take place. proof and rational justificaDarwin’s theory has seen a dis- tion in nearly any other disciturbing amount of opposition in pline involving argument. Our
the Untied States, and it is not leaders’ political theories must
surprising that many Ameri- be backed up by reasonable
cans do not fully understand opinions if they are to be serithe workings or importance of ously considered — or such is
evolution. To that end, Darwin’s the hope. Similarly, sufficient
birthday should have received evidence must be adminismore coverage, so that evolu- tered in court before one can
tion could be more properly be convicted of a crime. The
process of evolution is tangible
recognized for its importance.
Celebrating Darwin’s birthday and accessible to anyone. If
would be yet another way to the overwhelming scientific
get people discussing evolution consensus is that evolution is
more thoroughly. The numbers fact, it makes little sense that
regarding Americans’ belief evolution still draws such vigin evolution are staggering. orous opposition. Even within
Some 46 percent of Americans the field of science, phenomena
believed in intelligent design in with much less supporting evi2012. Only 15 percent are of the dence are never questioned.
opinion that humans evolved Scientists are still unsure as
without an intervening source to why gravity exists. Neverof assistance. These figures theless, there is never debate
strongly clash with the opin- among the public surrounding
ions of the worldwide scientific possible causes of gravity. Why,
community, where evolution is then, does evolution continue

to be so adamantly rejected by a good understanding of how
nearly half the nation when its the process works. Though
some teachers would allow
evidence is so apparent?
One factor is that the U.S. is their personal beliefs to bias the
the most religious industrial- way in which they teach evolution, other
ized nation in
the world Much “Choosing to disregard evo- t e a c h e r s
of the disbelief lution in favor of scripture is w o u l d
instruct
in evolution
unfortunate.”
t h e i r
is no doubt
classes
because evolup r o p e r l y.
tion concerns
If more
the origins and
development of life — two students were able to grasp
topics that are normally the evolution’s major concepts, it
domain of theological teach- would help increase national
ings and scriptures. As a result, scientific literacy.
Indeed, a knowledge of evolupeople feel more at liberty to
dispute ideas supported by tion could garner support for
huge amounts of scientific data. other contentious scientific
Despite having heard of evolu- topics. Take, for instance, global
tion, many people view it as warming. Climate change is
an inferior alternative to their another area in which many
religious beliefs. Choosing to Americans have disregarded
disregard evolution in favor of evidence. But if one understands evolution, one can more
scripture is unfortunate.
Another reason people reject competently see why the evievolution is because the public dence for global warming is
is not as cognizant as it should so compelling. Species have
be of such a basic scientific adapted to life in particular
theory. Education reform can temperature zones over thouhelp in that area. Mandating sands or millions of years, and
the teaching of evolution in there is already data showmiddle and high school science ing that many organisms are
classes could go a long way being affected by even small
toward increasing the percent- temperature changes. Birds,
age of the population that has for instance, are changing their

migration patterns, which are
highly based on temperature.
Additionally, the distributions
of many plants and animals are
moving farther toward the poles
to avoid unwanted warmer climates . If one recognizes that
species inhabit specific niches
as a result of evolution, one can
affirm that global warming is
already affecting the biosphere
whether or not people want to
admit it. Knowledge of evolution, therefore, should become
more widespread, not just as
a way to explain how species
came to be but also as a way to
show people how easily species
can be destroyed.
Darwin’s birthday does not
necessarily deserve a federal
holiday like those awarded to
George Washington or Martin
Luther King, Jr. But it should
have garnered more publicity.
Evolution is one of the most
interesting aspects of all natural
science. It is unfortunate that
everyone in this country has
the ability to learn about evolution, yet so few truly appreciate
its own distinctive grandeur.
Alex Yahanda is a senior
associate editor for The Cavalier
Daily. He can be reached at
a.yahanda@cavalierdaily.com.

www.cavalierdaily.com
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A8

Life

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

WAHOOS WITHOUT BORDERS
University’s history emphasizes global focus; international students face signiﬁcant challenges

By LILY BRODNAX | CAVALIER DAILY STAFF WRITER
There has always been an international element to the University.
When Jefferson opened the University in 1825, he recruited five of the
eight original faculty members from England. Today it’s no different —
roughly 10 percent of the student population is international, hailing
from more than 100 countries. Walking around Grounds, you can hear
dozens of different languages spoken and find many different nationalities represented by various CIOs. There remain, however, unique challenges to international students.
Linda Callihan, international students and scholars advisor, said the
academic standards for international undergraduate applicants are
equal if not higher than those for in-state students, who are already predominately from the top 10 percent of their high school class.
International students must also grapple with homesickness, coupled
with the pressures of making friends with people of such different cultural backgrounds, Callihan said.
Michelle Janssen, a second-year College student originally from the
Netherlands, said living in traditional first-year dorms made it easy for
her to make American friends. “I can understand though that if you lived
in the IRC, stuck with other [international students], it might be harder,”
she said.
Janssen said American students were initially entranced by her accent,
but the novelty has worn off with time.
But though the social struggles may seem substantial, the knowledge
that international students are academically prepared for the classroom
challenges of the University, and the pervasive international presence in
Greek Life, clubs, and dormitories serve as a perpetual reminder that the
international community is deeply entrenched in the broader culture of
the University.

I

The Price Was Wrong

’ve never written a bucket
list, as the whole thing seems
kind of grim to me. That
being said, there are certainly
some things I want to accomplish. At the top of my list was
being a contestant, ideally a
successful one, on “The Price is
Right”.
Growing up, I watched this
game show nearly every day
with my great-grandmother —
meaning I stayed glued to the
television while she fell asleep
sometime before the first round
of the big wheel. How anyone
could sleep during that excitement is beyond me.
So when I found out “The Price
is Right Live!” — read: the knockoff, untelevised version — was
coming to Charlottesville, you
can bet my decision to attend
was a no-brainer. Close enough
to the real thing without having
to leave beloved Charlottesville?
I mobilized my friends pronto.
I assumed I wasn’t going to
be picked. I just wasn’t lucky
enough. There would be tons of

A

people there — 2,400 to be exact.
I wouldn’t be chosen. I was
in class all day, and therefore
couldn’t register early, as suggested. But it was okay, because
being able to watch the “show”
in person would be more than
enough. I registered shortly
before the show, kissing my slip
of paper before putting it in the
bin.
The. Show. Was. Awesome.
I watched someone play Cliff
Hangers in real life! I heard the
yodeling for myself! Obviously,
the contestant had no idea how
much a glass picture frame pivoting on magnets cost — let’s
be honest, who does? Seventy
bucks, in case you’re wondering. I was on cloud nine, which
is basically how high up and far
away our seats were.
After four rounds of names to
no avail, I was still more than
content to be a spectator. But
then — on the fourth round, the
last name to be called was “Abbi
Sigler, come on down!” “Abbi
Sigler” flashed on the screen

in black capital letters. Wait,
that person has my name. Wait,
that person spells it weird like
I do. Wait, that is me! I stared
in disbelief until my friends

Dear Abbi

ABBI SIGLER
looked down the aisle, grinning.
I grabbed my license out of my
wallet — how else can you prove
who you are?
I ran to the usher, beaming and
hyperventilating, and he asked
me if I was excited. Uhh, please,
I don’t think there’s a word in

Good friendships don’t
die young

friend came by the other Standing in front of my sister’s
day and started talking to mirror, poised on one high heel,
my sister about her col- I stuck safety pins into the middle
umns. “Do you take criticism?” of my dress. I bent down to make
he asked. She laughed, “No!” sure my hair was straight and
He continued anyway, “Well, that my lipstick wasn’t all over
I think you said a
my face. I moved
while ago that you
a b o u t c l u m s i l y,
Things I Don’t Know pulling heels on,
were going to write
about me, and I’m
adjusting my dress,
For Sure
just wondering
texting and chugwhen that’s going
ging wine. In this
to be.” She sighed,
intimate environrelieved he was
ment, Tim felt like
only joking, and
a natural presence.
assured him that
Why am I writing
one of her future
about Tim Perry?
columns would be
There are a lot of
all about him.
people I could write
about. But days
overhead the
after overhearconversation
ing his conversafrom my room
and decided it was CONNELLY HARDAWAY tion with my sister,
when I sat staring a
about time I write
my column about somebody else. blank Word document, Tim was
So, Tim Perry, you don’t have to all I could think about. I wanted
wait for my sister to write about to tell his story, to try and put him
into words.
you. I think I’ll do it right now.
Until recently, I don’t think
I can’t remember when I met
Tim. He is one of those guys who I’d given Tim enough credit. I’d
figures prominently in your first- been selfish in our friendship.
year nightlife memories, then I wanted to make him laugh in
somehow finds his way to your conversation, but I didn’t want to
library table, then to your kitchen listen to what he had to say.
Writing about Tim isn’t easy.
microwave, and before you know
it is waking you from your futon I want my story to be as good
naps. I used to seek Tim out as all of his. His stories, be they
to make me laugh. I wouldn’t real, exaggerated or completely
ask him to tell me a joke; some- untrue, are art.
I think when we say that somehow, he’d just acknowledge some
aspect of my life and find the one is funny, we really mean that
hilarity in it. He’s funny like that. they can mold and morph words
Tim avoids the typical pit falls in new and beautiful ways.
I hope, one day, Tim will tell
of many “funny guys.” He’s not
masking insecurity or laughing p e o p l e a b o u t t h i s c o l u m n .
at the expense of others. He’s just Because regardless of what is
nice. I’m not sure if he would written, I know he will turn it into
hate me for saying that, but if a wonderful story.
my theory is correct, then he
Connelly’s column runs biweekly
wouldn’t be capable of that sentiWednesdays. She can be reached
ment anyway.
at c.hardaway@cavalierdaily.
Last semester I was getting
com.
ready for a Christmas party.

I

A

the English language strong
enough for the emotion I felt. I
proceeded to tell him about my
great-grandmother, who I’m
sure was beaming as much up
there as I was in JPJ. I finally
understood the sheer emotion
of the 65-year-old women who
kiss and tackle Bob Barker/Drew
Carey and don’t comprehend
how they are overreacting.
My competition and I
approached the podiums and
shook hands with the stand-in
Bob Barker — because there can
only ever be one and this guy
was not him. I leaned over to
the woman, who later became
my new friend, and begged her
to not be the tool who places her
bid one dollar higher than mine,
since I was in the unfortunate
position of having to go first.
The first round, we all overbid.
It’s not my fault I have expensive
taste and would pay a lot for an
electric guitar. Then we placed
bids again and I ended up only
clapping for my new friend, who
turned out to be the closest with-

Abbi’s column runs biweekly
Wednesdays. She can be reached
at a.sigler@cavalierdaily.com.

To inﬁnity and beyond the Lawn

nticipation. MerriamWebster defines it as
“the act of looking forward, especially to a pleasurable expectation.” It’s the waiting period before a song’s beat
drops, or the upward climb on
a huge roller coaster. It’s the
countdown to the beginning,
the climax and then the end —
a natural human proclivity to
prepare for the future.
When I was a child, my
parents would occasionally
surprise me with toys. Did you
know the average first-grader
gets about 72 new toys per
year? At least in my house we
did. As children, we are filled
with silly hopes and dreams
for what each single day will
bring, whether it’s a gold
sticker in class, a visit from
the Tooth Fairy, a McDonald’s
sundae after soccer practice,
or a Nintendo 64.
One of my most vivid childhood memories was the
summer I went to Disney
World for the very first time. I
have a massive, alphabetically
arranged, collection of Disney
classics. As a child I’d watch a
movie once a week, each time
elevating my hopes for a visit
to the magical motherland.
On July 4, 1999, I was eight
years old. My parents sat me
down because they wanted to

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out going over. I returned to my
seat, still hyperventilating and
in disbelief, and watched her
compete in all her glory.
My girl Therese went on to
win a trip to Vegas. You go
girl. Really, winning that trip
would’ve complicated my life.
Who to take? My roommate —
partly as a reward for putting
up with me, but also because
she loves gambling? My mom
— because she gave me life? But
what about my dad? And winning that would have entailed a
lot of taxes, right?
In any case, I’m thanking my
great-grandmother for whatever strings she pulled up there
and checking this off my nonexistent bucket list. I’m also
probably never taking off the
consolation prize t-shirt. This is
Abbi Sigler reminding you: Help
control the pet population. Have
your pets spayed or neutered.

talk. I normally feared situations like this, given the trouble my inherently wild nature
could get me in to — I was a
kid on a leash, once literally.
I thought they were going to
punish me, as was the norm,
but to my pleasant surprise,
they told me we would be
leaving to go to Orlando, Fla.

The Good Life

AL-HASSAN KOROMA
the very next day.
Then the yells of excitement
began. I couldn’t believe it.
I was so excited. I couldn’t
sleep. It was just like the
Disney commercials: children
waking their parents up at 4
a.m. on the day of departure.
When I walked into the park
for the very first time, I was
overwhelmed. It was so much
more than I could ever have
dreamed of, and the anticipation made this new place

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so much better to me. I rode
Space Mountain, and I knew
that I would be going to infinity and beyond.
In the years since, I have
gone through 17 years of
schooling, I’ve had 11 phones
— I dropped my iPhone in college more times than I would
like to admit — moved three
times, and now I am about to
graduate from the University
of Virginia.
Every moment leading up to
this has been so exciting. I’ve
crossed off most of the things
on the list of “113 Things To
Do Before You Graduate.” I’ve
joined some pretty amazing
organizations that have given
me the ability to come out of
my shell and have pushed me
to my limits. I am about to
finally reach the top of Space
Mountain and take the plunge
into the unknown, walking
down the Lawn for one last
time.
To my fellow fourth-years,
I know this time is nervewracking — but don’t be
afraid. Take deep breaths,
because it’s only a ride. See
where it takes you.
Al’s column runs biweekly
Wednesdays. He can be
reaches at a.koroma@
cavalierdaily.com.

Health&Science

A9

Wednesday, February 13, 2012

Bio Behind the Bug:

a look into last week’s meningitis scare

Courtesy Wikpedia Commons

New methods help
identify genetic
contributors to
Autism disorders
By Mary Pothen

Cavalier Daily Staff Writer
Dr. Mazhar Adli , assistant
professor of Biochemistry and
Molecular Genetics , contributed to a study published last
month in the scientific journal Neuron . The study, led by
Harvard Medical School Prof.
Christopher Walsh, outlines a
method for identifying familial genetic mutations which
contribute to the partial loss
of gene function common in
autism spectrum disorders .
The project used wholeexome sequencing, a process
which cuts out and studies
small portions of DNA called
exons that code for functional
proteins . Using this process
researchers located regions
of the genome that could be
affected by the genetic variants associated with autism
disorders , Adli said. According to the study, there are
some rare alleles — variations of genes that code for
certain traits — in genomes
that contribute to the devel-

opment of autism. In this
study, researchers combined
whole-exome sequencing and
biochemical assays to pinpoint these variants and test
whether they are the cause of
autism spectrum disorders .
For a particular sequence to
be identified as contributing
to the disease, it must cause a
structural change in the protein it codes for .
“[Our] research differs
from a lot of other genomic
approaches,” Adli said. “It’s
not just reported that Gene
X is mutated or Gene Y is
mutated; it is also testing that
these mutations are actually
causing the disease.”
This research confirms the
complexity of the genetic
architecture of autism, identifying a number of variants
that contribute to the disease,
but Adli said there is still a
lot of work to do. “Currently,
researchers are not aware
of what 98 percent of the
genome does,” Adli said. “We
are only really beginning to
understand the epigenome.”

A University student was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis,
Dr. James Turner, director of
Student Health, said in an email
to the student body last Wednesday. Since then, 51 students have
been identified as being at risk
of close contact, and 50 of those
have come in with no symptoms and were given a dose of
an antibiotic to eliminate any
residual bacteria. Turner confirmed in an email that no new
cases have been identified since
Tuesday.
The case at the University
was Meningococcal meningitis,
Turner said, a type of meningitis that resides in the nose and
throat of 5 percent of healthy
young adults.
“Very rarely, for reasons which
are unclear, the bacteria enters
the bloodstream and causes
an infection that can settle
in the lining of the brain and
spinal cord causing meningitis,”
Turner said. “We have seen
disease occur during flu seasons
and this may contribute to the
bacteria getting in the blood-

stream.”
The bacteria kills 15 percent of
those infected, and 20 percent of
survivors require amputations
or suffer from kidney failure
or brain damage . More than
4000 cases occurred each year
between 2003 and 2007, according to the CDC, which resulted in
500 fatalities.
The bacteria is very contagious;
it spreads through the exchange
of throat and respiratory secretions. Commonly this occurs in a
college setting through activities
such as kissing, sharing drinks
or smoking materials and sleeping in the same room. Although
95 percent of University students have received a vaccination for meningococcal meningitis, Turner said, this vaccine did
not account for the strain that
broke out on Grounds.
Symptoms include severe
headache, nausea, vomiting,
fever, sensitivity to light, neck
stiffness and altered mental
state. Turner said any student
experiencing these symptoms
should seek care immediately.

The dangers
of drinking
By Elissa Trieu

Cavalier Daily Senior Writer
Fraternity rush has finally
come to a close, but not before
bringing about an unusually
high number of alcohol poisonings. The night after girls’
rush ended, 12 students ended
up in the emergency room
for alcohol related problems.
Although new rules were created for Greek organizations,
the number of students admitted to the emergency room for
alcohol poisoning is preventable.
Unlike food, alcohol is quickly
absorbed into the body. On
average, it takes the body about
one hour to metabolize the alcohol in one drink — 12 ounces of
beer or one shot of liquor — but
metabolism rates can be influenced by many other factors,
such as recent food consumption or the drinker’s weight.
Enzymes in the liver are
responsible for metabolizing
the alcohol , but when more
alcohol is consumed than
the liver can metabolize, the
system becomes saturated, and
the excess alcohol accumulates

C M Y K

in the body until the liver is
able to break it down.
Alcohol depresses the parts of
the nervous system that control
involuntary actions — it slows
down the heartbeat and breathing and impairs the gag reflex,
making vomit asphyxiation a
common concern, according to
the Mayo Clinic’s website. Alcohol poisoning can also cause
a decrease in blood sugar and
body temperature.
EMTs often use the anagram
PUBS to recognize the signs
of alcohol poisoning: Puking
while passed out; Unresponsive
to stimulation such as pinching
or shaking; Breathing that is
slow, shallow or nonexistent;
and Skin that is blue, cold or
clammy.
But common myths to help
with counter these symptoms
— such as drinking black coffee,
taking cold showers, walking it
off or sleeping — are ineffective and potentially dangerous.
Instead, the best thing to do in
cases of alcohol overdose is to
call 911. The Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS)
offers free, quick response
within the University com-

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munity.
Third-year College student
Ryan Schlobach works with
the rescue squad every Thursday night and said the alcohol-related calls are par for
the course when working in
a college town. “Drunk students are an inevitable part of
running rescue on weekend
nights,” Schlobach said. “However, most of the students are
so intoxicated that they are
unresponsive, vomiting, or belligerent.”
Although the high number of
alcohol-related hospital trips at
the end of sorority rush drew
the spotlight to the University
drinking culture, the number
of students brought in for alcohol poisoning isn’t much higher
than normal this semester, said
Dr. Chris Ghaemmaghami who
works in the ER at the University Hospital.
“Students may not realize
that they only make up a small
part of the patient population,” Ghaemmaghami said .
“[The number of intoxicated
students] is not too bad until
the Foxfield Races or football
games roll around.”

A10

Wednesday, February 13, 2013 | The Cavalier Daily

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